Posts Tagged ‘adoption’

This isn’t the first time I’ve led one of these posts out like this, but once again we’re seeing CAP-supported SB 1188 be mischaracterized and attacked in the media.

SB 1188 requires that marital status be considered in adoption placements and establishes a preference for children to be adopted by a married man and woman when all other relevant factors are equal.

This law is based off of common sense, backed up by sound social science data. Think about it: a mom and a dad each bring something unique to raising a child, which creates an ideal environment for the child to succeed. If there’s any question, check out what Dr. Brad Wilcox has found on the subject through his studies.

This is not news to most people, and when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. The social science data only confirms this, which is why CAP is supporting SB 1188.

Apparently, accuracy on this issue isn’t enough for some of the media. They prefer to sensationalize opponents’ talking points. The favorite arguments are that this bill will stop single adults from adopting children, or that this is about stopping homosexuals from adopting.

But if you were to take a minute to read the bill, you’d see neither of these assertions are true. Nothing in this bill addresses homosexual adults adopting children. Nothing in this bill prohibits single individuals from adopting children.

Here’s what the bill does: It requires agencies placing children for adoption to place the child in the home best meeting the child’s emotional, safety, physical, social, and mental health needs, and consider “relevant factors” for placement that include (in no particular order):

1. Marital status.

2. The child’s birth parents’ wishes.

3. Whether the child has a pre-existing relationship with a single adult, including family members, foster parents, or family friends.

4. Whether the adult has the ability to financially provide for the child.

5. The placement of the child’s siblings.

Then, the bill says that, if all these factors are equal and the choice is between a married man and woman or a single individual, then the child should be placed with the married man and woman.

In committee testimony, Dr. Gary Auxier – a pediatrician for over 30 years – pointed out that all the studies he sees shows that children do best in an intact home led by a married mom and dad. The data is clear. In a 2006 study published in the William and Mary Bill of Rights Journal titled “Bringing Up Baby: Adoption Marriage, and the Best Interests of the Child,” Brad Wilcox and Robin Wilson said “Children appear most likely to thrive socially, emotionally, and educationally when they are reared in an intact or adoptive family headed by a married couple.”

• Again, SB 1188 will not stop singles from adopting, it simply provides children the best opportunity to have a mom and a dad.

• In situations where the child has been placed with a single individual serving as a foster parent, then that single individual will be able to adopt the child. SB 1188 clearly says that a relevant factor to be consider is whether the child has a healthy, meaningful relationship already with a single individual.

• SB 1188 is not about homosexual adoption. If we decided to promote legislation to prohibit homosexual adoption, we would clearly state in the bill that same-sex individuals or couples could not adopt children in our state.

• This bill does not take away from the heroic work of single parents. It simply puts the best interest of the child before anything else. When all circumstances are equal, social science data shows that having a mom and a dad is what’s best for kids.